Saturday, January 11, 2014

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for World, The Church Worldwide

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
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jan 11: World, The Church Worldwide

World, The Church Worldwide

World

World

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Geography

Area: 134,940,000 sq km
Antarctica, with 14 million sq km, is not included.
Population: 6,908,000,000    Annual Growth: 1.20%
Urbanites: 51%

Peoples

    Languages: 6,909

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians2,229,951,31532.291.2
Evangelicals545,886,8187.92.6

Answer to Prayer

The gospel took root within hundreds of the world’s least reached peoples. In many cases, peoples with no known believers ten or twenty years ago now have churches within them, some of them thriving, growing churches now involved themselves in the Great Commission! The 1990s saw the most concerted attempt to analyze the need of the world – a process in which Operation World itself played a part. And 1995 saw the beginning of the Joshua Project List (JPL), originally a list of 1,583 of the world’s least reached peoples. While this is expanded to now include all peoples in the world (16,350), the original list served as a catalyst for the Church to pray for, adopt and engage with every one of these least reached peoples. It also inspired national-level research in many countries where the 1,583 were found; this missiological and people group research by Majority World Christians has been a major step toward completion of the Great Commission. Much pioneering work remains, but praise God for miraculous opening of doors and receptivity to the gospel in new places – some once considered all but impossible to reach.
     For an additional 7 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of World.

The Church Worldwide

World

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Challenge for Prayer

Discipleship is regarded by many Christian leaders as the greatest challenge facing the Church today. In regions such as Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia, where the Church has grown remarkably fast, there are literally millions of new believers who need to learn the Word and the Christian walk. Shaping their worldview and lifestyle biblically will form growing, mature followers of Christ; failing to do so will cause many to fall away into unbelief, false teaching or spiritual lukewarmness. While this is an urgent crisis in places where the Church is rapidly increasing, it is no less important in areas with a long Church history. There is, as ever, a genuine need for effective Bible study and teaching in Christians’ heart languages, genuine fellowship and a commitment to involvement in ministry.
     For an additional 9 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of The Church Worldwide
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Amos 2 (NIV)


Amos 2 (New International Version)

Amos 2

1 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. Because he burned, as if to lime, the bones of Edom's king,

2 I will send fire upon Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. [a] Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet.

3 I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him," says the LORD.

4 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. Because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, [b] the gods [c] their ancestors followed,

5 I will send fire upon Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem."

Judgment on Israel

6 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.
7 They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.

8 They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.

9 "I destroyed the Amorite before them, though he was tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below.

10 "I brought you up out of Egypt, and I led you forty years in the desert to give you the land of the Amorites.

11 I also raised up prophets from among your sons and Nazirites from among your young men. Is this not true, people of Israel?" declares the LORD.

12 "But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

13 "Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.

14 The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.

15 The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.

16 Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day," declares the LORD.
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Psalm 89 (NIV)


Psalm 89

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 89[a]

A maskil[b] of Ethan the Ezrahite.

1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
    with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
    through all generations.
2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
    that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
    I have sworn to David my servant,
4 ‘I will establish your line forever
    and make your throne firm through all generations.’”[c]
5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,
    your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
    Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
    he is more awesome than all who surround him.
8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
    You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule over the surging sea;
    when its waves mount up, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
    with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
    you founded the world and all that is in it.
12 You created the north and the south;
    Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
13 Your arm is endowed with power;
    your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
    love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
    who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
16 They rejoice in your name all day long;
    they celebrate your righteousness.
17 For you are their glory and strength,
    and by your favor you exalt our horn.[d]
18 Indeed, our shield[e] belongs to the Lord,
    our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19 Once you spoke in a vision,
    to your faithful people you said:
“I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
    I have raised up a young man from among the people.
20 I have found David my servant;
    with my sacred oil I have anointed him.
21 My hand will sustain him;
    surely my arm will strengthen him.
22 The enemy will not get the better of him;
    the wicked will not oppress him.
23 I will crush his foes before him
    and strike down his adversaries.
24 My faithful love will be with him,
    and through my name his horn[f] will be exalted.
25 I will set his hand over the sea,
    his right hand over the rivers.
26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,
    my God, the Rock my Savior.’
27 And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,
    the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
28 I will maintain my love to him forever,
    and my covenant with him will never fail.
29 I will establish his line forever,
    his throne as long as the heavens endure.
30 “If his sons forsake my law
    and do not follow my statutes,
31 if they violate my decrees
    and fail to keep my commands,
32 I will punish their sin with the rod,
    their iniquity with flogging;
33 but I will not take my love from him,
    nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.
34 I will not violate my covenant
    or alter what my lips have uttered.
35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—
    and I will not lie to David—
36 that his line will continue forever
    and his throne endure before me like the sun;
37 it will be established forever like the moon,
    the faithful witness in the sky.”
38 But you have rejected, you have spurned,
    you have been very angry with your anointed one.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant
    and have defiled his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken through all his walls
    and reduced his strongholds to ruins.
41 All who pass by have plundered him;
    he has become the scorn of his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
    you have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 Indeed, you have turned back the edge of his sword
    and have not supported him in battle.
44 You have put an end to his splendor
    and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth;
    you have covered him with a mantle of shame.
46 How long, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?
    How long will your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how fleeting is my life.
    For what futility you have created all humanity!
48 Who can live and not see death,
    or who can escape the power of the grave?
49 Lord, where is your former great love,
    which in your faithfulness you swore to David?
50 Remember, Lord, how your servant has[g] been mocked,
    how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,
51 the taunts with which your enemies, Lord, have mocked,
    with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.
52 Praise be to the Lord forever!
Amen and Amen.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 89:1 In Hebrew texts 89:1-52 is numbered 89:2-53.
  2. Psalm 89:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 89:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 37, 45 and 48.
  4. Psalm 89:17 Horn here symbolizes strong one.
  5. Psalm 89:18 Or sovereign
  6. Psalm 89:24 Horn here symbolizes strength.
  7. Psalm 89:50 Or your servants have
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Friday, January 10, 2014

Amos 1 (NIV)



Amos 1 (New International Version)

Amos 1

1 The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash [a] was king of Israel.

2 He said: "The LORD roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, [b] and the top of Carmel withers."

Judgment on Israel's Neighbors

3 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth,
4 I will send fire upon the house of Hazael that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.

5 I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will destroy the king who is in [c] the Valley of Aven [d] and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir," says the LORD.

6 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom,

7 I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses.

8 I will destroy the king [e] of Ashdod and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines is dead," says the Sovereign LORD.

9 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,

10 I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses."

11 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because he pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion, [f] because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked,

12 I will send fire upon Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah."

13 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders,

14 I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah that will consume her fortresses amid war cries on the day of battle, amid violent winds on a stormy day.

15 Her king [g] will go into exile, he and his officials together," says the LORD.
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Proverbs 10 (NIV)


Proverbs 10 (New International Version)

Proverbs 10

Proverbs of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. [a]

7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

10 He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

14 Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16 The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him.

27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
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Psalm 88 (NIV)


Psalm 88 (New International Version)

Psalm 88

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1[a] [b] O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.
2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. [c]

4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.

5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. Selah

8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;

9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you.

10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah

11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction [d] ?

12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?

15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.

16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me.

17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.

18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.
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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Joel 3 (NIV)



Joel 3 (New International Version)

Joel 3

The Nations Judged

1 "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. [a] There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

3 They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine that they might drink.

4 "Now what have you against me, O Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done. 5 For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples. 6 You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might send them far from their homeland.

7 "See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done. 8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away." The LORD has spoken.

9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, "I am strong!"

11 Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD!

12 "Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.

13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!"

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.

16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Blessings for God's People

17 "Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.
18 "In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD's house and will water the valley of acacias. [b]

19 But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.

20 Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.

21 Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon." The LORD dwells in Zion!
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Proverbs 9 (NIV)


Proverbs 9 (New International Version)

Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.

4 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.

5 "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.

7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

13 The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge.

14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way.

16 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.

17 "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"

18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.
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    Psalm 87 (NIV)


    Psalm 87 (New International Version)

    Psalm 87

    Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

    1 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;
    2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

    3 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God: Selah

    4 "I will record Rahab [a] and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush[b]— and will say, 'This [c] one was born in Zion.' "

    5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her."

    6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion." Selah

    7 As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in you."
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    Wednesday, January 8, 2014

    Proverbs 8 (NIV)


    Proverbs 8 (New International Version)

    Proverbs 8

    Wisdom's Call

    1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
    2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

    3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:

    4 "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

    5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

    6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

    7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

    8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

    9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

    10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

    11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

    12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

    13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

    14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

    15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;

    16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. [a]

    17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

    18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

    19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

    20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

    21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

    22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, [b] , [c] before his deeds of old;

    23 I was appointed [d] from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

    24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;

    25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

    26 before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.

    27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

    28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

    29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

    30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

    31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

    32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

    33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

    34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

    35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

    36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
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    Psalm 86 (NIV)


    Psalm 86 (New International Version)

    Psalm 86

    A prayer of David.

    1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
    2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

    3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

    4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

    5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

    6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.

    7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

    8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

    9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

    10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

    11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

    12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

    13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. [a]

    14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life— men without regard for you.

    15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

    16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. [b]

    17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
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    Joel 2 (NIV)



    Joel 2

    New International Version (NIV)

    An Army of Locusts

    2 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
        sound the alarm on my holy hill.
    Let all who live in the land tremble,
        for the day of the Lord is coming.
    It is close at hand—
    2     a day of darkness and gloom,
        a day of clouds and blackness.
    Like dawn spreading across the mountains
        a large and mighty army comes,
    such as never was in ancient times
        nor ever will be in ages to come.
    3 Before them fire devours,
        behind them a flame blazes.
    Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,
        behind them, a desert waste—
        nothing escapes them.
    4 They have the appearance of horses;
        they gallop along like cavalry.
    5 With a noise like that of chariots
        they leap over the mountaintops,
    like a crackling fire consuming stubble,
        like a mighty army drawn up for battle.
    6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;
        every face turns pale.
    7 They charge like warriors;
        they scale walls like soldiers.
    They all march in line,
        not swerving from their course.
    8 They do not jostle each other;
        each marches straight ahead.
    They plunge through defenses
        without breaking ranks.
    9 They rush upon the city;
        they run along the wall.
    They climb into the houses;
        like thieves they enter through the windows.
    10 Before them the earth shakes,
        the heavens tremble,
    the sun and moon are darkened,
        and the stars no longer shine.
    11 The Lord thunders
        at the head of his army;
    his forces are beyond number,
        and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
    The day of the Lord is great;
        it is dreadful.
        Who can endure it?

    Rend Your Heart

    12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,
        “return to me with all your heart,
        with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
    13 Rend your heart
        and not your garments.
    Return to the Lord your God,
        for he is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and abounding in love,
        and he relents from sending calamity.
    14 Who knows? He may turn and relent
        and leave behind a blessing—
    grain offerings and drink offerings
        for the Lord your God.
    15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
        declare a holy fast,
        call a sacred assembly.
    16 Gather the people,
        consecrate the assembly;
    bring together the elders,
        gather the children,
        those nursing at the breast.
    Let the bridegroom leave his room
        and the bride her chamber.
    17 Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
        weep between the portico and the altar.
    Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
        Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
        a byword among the nations.
    Why should they say among the peoples,
        ‘Where is their God?’”

    The Lord’s Answer

    18 Then the Lord was jealous for his land
        and took pity on his people.
    19 The Lord replied[a] to them:
    “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,
        enough to satisfy you fully;
    never again will I make you
        an object of scorn to the nations.
    20 “I will drive the northern horde far from you,
        pushing it into a parched and barren land;
    its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea
        and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea.
    And its stench will go up;
        its smell will rise.”
    Surely he has done great things!
    21     Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
        be glad and rejoice.
    Surely the Lord has done great things!
    22     Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
        for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
    The trees are bearing their fruit;
        the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
    23 Be glad, people of Zion,
        rejoice in the Lord your God,
    for he has given you the autumn rains
        because he is faithful.
    He sends you abundant showers,
        both autumn and spring rains, as before.
    24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
        the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
    25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
        the great locust and the young locust,
        the other locusts and the locust swarm[b]—
    my great army that I sent among you.
    26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
        and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
        who has worked wonders for you;
    never again will my people be shamed.
    27 Then you will know that I am in Israel,
        that I am the Lord your God,
        and that there is no other;
    never again will my people be shamed.

    The Day of the Lord

    28 “And afterward,
        I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
        your old men will dream dreams,
        your young men will see visions.
    29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
        I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
    30 I will show wonders in the heavens
        and on the earth,
        blood and fire and billows of smoke.
    31 The sun will be turned to darkness
        and the moon to blood
        before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
    32 And everyone who calls
        on the name of the Lord will be saved;
    for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
        there will be deliverance,
        as the Lord has said,
    even among the survivors
        whom the Lord calls.[c]

    Footnotes:

    1. Joel 2:19 Or Lord will be jealous … / and take pity … / 19 The Lord will reply
    2. Joel 2:25 The precise meaning of the four Hebrew words used here for locusts is uncertain.
    3. Joel 2:32 In Hebrew texts 2:28-32 is numbered 3:1-5.
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